The UK Ministry of Defence stated that recently, the Royal Air Force (RAF)'s first "Guardian" RG Mk1 drone was controlled by a controller and completed a series of prescribed flight operations over the Royal Air Force Base in Waddington.
The Guardian drone is a customized model designed by General Atomics for the Royal Air Force based on MQ-9B Skyguard technology, and will play an important role in unmanned combat missions in the future. General Atomics will deliver 16 Guardian drones, which are expected to officially enter service with the Royal Air Force by the end of 2024. The drones are expected to develop initial combat capabilities by 2025 and full combat capabilities by 2026.
The Protector drone technology will belong to the UK, and the fleet will be deployed at the Royal Air Force Base in Wardington. In the future, drones will take off from the base and fly to the Middle East or Africa. After arriving in the theater of war, specialized troops will prepare for drone combat missions. In addition to intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions, the Royal Air Force's Guardian drones will also expand a range of applications within the UK, including emergency support and domestic and international maritime surveillance.